Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Embarking on an annual odyssey of taste, creativity, and storytelling, PATRÓN Perfectionists introduces an elevated realm of ingenuity, a fresh perspective on flavor, creativity, and storytelling, all rooted in the essence of PATRÓN Tequila. At its core, this initiative shines a spotlight on the relentless dedication of bartenders – the visionary navigators of our dynamic industry. The entry challenge for this year centers on Patrón Reposado and the iconic Paloma. Evolving from a straightforward blend of tequila and mixer, the classic Paloma has become a canvas for endless interpretations worldwide. The Paloma Challenge tasked bartenders to produce a Patrón Paloma serve inspired by their favorite global city. The cocktail must contain Patrón Reposado, soda water, and a homemade cordial that should contain grapefruit in some form. While the cocktail seems straightforward in its simplicity, the bartenders were able to let their creativity shine by experimenting with their homemade cordials and garnish and salt rim. It’s a call to infuse creativity into a beloved classic while drawing inspiration from the diverse flavors of cities across the globe. Following an extensive selection process, the Philippines’ top ten contenders have emerged. This year’s roster comprises a dynamic group of bartenders from some of the best bars in the metro, as well as talents from Cebu. Check out their entries below. Joseph Angelo Paroco Harina by Mimosas, Mandaue City, Cebu Matricaria Paradisi Meet Joseph Angelo Paroco from Harina by Mimosas in Mandaue City, Cebu. He crafts the Matricaria Paradisi, a blend of Patron Reposado, honey chamomile grapefruit, and soda water. Garnished with chamomile honey isomalt candy and a half rim of dehydrated pulverized grapefruit and sea salt, this libation is built over ice. For the homemade cordial, he takes us through a meticulous process involving grapefruit and lime juicing, a mix of citric acid, sugar, Chamomile loose tea, and honey, all sous vide at 58 degrees Celsius for two hours Adi Cabañero The Attic Bar, BGC Paloma Mediterránea From The Attic Bar in Taguig City, Adi Cabañero brings us the Paloma Mediterránea. This enticing mix includes Patron Reposado, fenugreek, coriander, rosemary, and grapefruit oleo saccharum, grapefruit juice, soda water, and garnish half the rim with asin tibuok and a fresh rosemary sprig. The preparation involves an overnight grapefruit peel oleosaccharum, toasting coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, and dried rosemary, and combining these with grapefruit juice. Marc Gian Valenzuela Coconut Grove at Admiral Hotel, Manila The Purple Haven In the heart of Manila City at Coconut Grove, Marc Gian Valenzuela shakes up The Purple Haven. This concoction comprises Patron Reposado, lavender grapefruit-yuzu cordial, and soda water with a dash of blue pea water. The cordial is a fusion of grapefruit sous vide, yuzu puree, dried lavender, and a touch of citric acid, malic acid, and salt. Wilius Czar Bautista Ruby Wong's Godown at Admiral Hotel, Manila Juan Over at Ruby Wong’s Godown in Manila City, Wilius Czar Bautista crafts Juan, blending Patron Reposado, melons-grapefruit cordial, and soda water. The homemade melon syrup, grapefruit oleo saccharum, and a hint of citric acid are combined to create this refreshing libation. Abby John Leyte Southbank Cafe + Lounge, Alabang Aurora In the Southbank Cafe + Lounge, Abby John Leyte presents Aurora, featuring Patron Reposado, grapefruit calamansi boba cordial, and soda water. The cordial preparation involves a creative process, including grapefruit juice, refined sugar, calamansi juice, grenadine, calcium lactate, and sodium alginate for the boba spheres. Cherrie Ann Alegre A'Toda Madre, Makati Amor y Vida Head over to A’Toda Madre in Poblacion Makati City to savor Cherrie Ann Alegre’s creation, Amor y Vida. This cocktail consists of Patron Reposado, grapefruit pomelo cordial, and soda water. Cherrie infused grapefruit and pomelo peels with agave syrup in coconut water and clarified the cordial with whole milk, and added smoky flavor with smoked cherry wood. Billy Ranchez The Spirits Library, Makati Mabaya From The Spirits Library in Poblacion Makati, Billy Ranchez presents Mabaya, a mix of Patron Reposado, grapefruit-hibiscus-guava cordial, and Soda Water. The cordial involves brewing hibiscus tea, combining grapefruit juice, hibiscus tea, guava syrup, fresh lemon juice, and saline solution. John Wendell Almenario Bar by East, Marikina Waknatoy Paloma At Bar by East, John Wendell Almenario introduces the Waknatoy Paloma. This refreshing drink includes Patron Reposado, pickle tomato grapefruit cordial, and soda water. The cordial involves a process of making tomato water, combining fresh grapefruit juice, pickle juice, and sugar, and boiling it to perfection. Klerk Rizmel G. Malig-on Cowrie Cove Bar in Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu Paloma de Paraiso (Dove of Paradise) At Cowrie Cove bar in Shangri-la Mactan Cebu, Klerk Rizmel G. Malig-on crafts the Paloma de Paraiso. This divine mix comprises Patron Reposado, forbidden cordial, and soda water, garnished with a grapefruit wedge rimmed with fruit skin powder and Himalayan salt. The forbidden cordial involves a blend of grapefruit, apple, and watermelon juices, caster sugar, citric acid, and Sappan wood. Tejie Guero Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge, Makati Yuhom Finally, at Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge, Tejie Guero presents Yuhom, a fusion of Patron Reposado, fermented Batuan, grapefruit super juice, langka (jackfruit) infused in agave, and a touch of soda water, beetroot, and pork floss. The unique elements include fermented Batwan and grapefruit super juice, each with its intricate preparation process. Find out who will be the Patrón Perfectionists 2023/24 PH winner on December 4, 2023 at Mansion Sports Bar. This year’s winner will be joining last year’s champ, Kristina Tubig, on the Global Finals in Mexico next year. Follow Academia PATRÓN on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information about the competition. Check out https://www.academiapatron.com to learn more about PATRÓN Tequila.